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Updated: Mar 11, 2026
High Content Screening Analysis to Evaluate the Toxicological Effects of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents HPHC
Published on: May 10, 2016
GC-MS PROFILING OF THE LIPOPHILIC FRACTION AND ACUTE SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF THE AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF SCUTELLARIA
Zh Toxanbayeva1, N Konash2, M Urunova3
11Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, South Kazakhstan medical academy, Shymkent, the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Objectives:
This study aimed to characterize the lipophilic (petroleum ether) fraction of Scutellaria subcaespitosa using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and to evaluate the acute toxicity and sub-chronic dermal and mucosal tolerability of an aqueous infusion prepared from the aerial parts of the plant in experimental animals.
Materials And Methods:
Lipophilic constituents were analysed by GC-MS following ultrasonic extraction with petroleum ether. Acute toxicity of the aqueous preparation (10%, w/v) was evaluated in albino mice and albino rats after oral (intragastric) and intraperitoneal administration. In rats, intragastric doses ranged from 5 to 5000 mg/kg body weight, with a 15-day observation period. Clinical signs, behaviour, body weight, and mortality were recorded. Sub-chronic dermal and mucosal exposure to the aqueous infusion (1:10, w/v) was assessed over a three-month period in rats and rabbits.
Results:
GC-MS analysis of the petroleum ether extract revealed 43 chromatographic peaks in the total ion chromatogram. Two peaks corresponded to phthalate esters (dibutyl phthalate and diisooctyl phthalate), which were considered probable laboratory contaminants and therefore excluded from compositional interpretation; 41 plant-derived components are presented in Table 1. The most abundant constituents included nonacosane and tetriacontane, along with eugenol, palmitic acid, phytol, camphor, and γ-sitosterol. Acute toxicity testing demonstrated no mortality in rats following intragastric administration at doses up to 5000 mg/kg and no clinically significant signs of intoxication. In mice, mortality occurred only at the highest intraperitoneal dose tested. Sub-chronic dermal and mucosal exposure over three months produced no observable local adverse reactions.
Conclusion:
The aqueous preparation of S. subcaespitosa demonstrated no observable acute toxicity in rats within the tested dose range and did not produce adverse local effects under sub-chronic exposure conditions. These safety findings apply exclusively to the aqueous preparation. The toxicological profile of the lipophilic petroleum ether fraction requires independent evaluation before conclusions regarding the safety of fat-soluble constituents can be drawn.
